Its mostly the weather. Beginning Oct our daylight runs out about 5:30 pm, and our outdoor arenas can get pretty nasty with rains in the day (or snow) and then freezing at night. But it's mostly the weather, daytime highs in Dec Jan and Feb will run about minus 15 on balmy days. We can easily run minus 25 and colder for weeks at a time. Brrrrr. And many horses are kept outside in pasture so they are quite heavily coated. I do not have to blanket my 17 year old mare, although her winter coat makes her look like a yak. lol. Lots of folks do board at indoor arenas, but I would say the majority of riders just kick the ponies out to be horses for a couple of months in the winter. Today it was -24 with a wind chill of -30. That was the high temp for the day! Do you feel sorry for us yet?

I would love to do a beach ride - very cool - we train year round as we have an indoor arena. But sometimes we are wimps and don't ride below -10 - our horses that are in work for the next season are clipped.

Dana, why April to November, is it the light or weather? Here in Ireland we have just had our worst winter for over 50 years. Our arena was frozen for 4 weeks. We would usually be getting horses ready to hunt but horses now all unfit. We don't have a horse walker, we do things in a very traditional way. We where unable to get out on rode work. We're almost 6 weeks behind in fittness for jumping league. Gerry salted the arena the 1st week but once the temp dropped to -12, that was it. I don't know how you guys keep going in Canada! It 12 midnight, to my bed I must go. Me!

I show WP, HMS,Trail, Halter and SMS, as well as recreational trail ride. I also host a couple of "Fun" Show days at my arena for local folks who don't do the "real" show ring. We have a total blast with show horses playing at gymkhana events and speed event horses slowing it down for rail classes. I am the "Boss Mare" for a group of 70 women, 18 years of age and up, with what we feel is a fabulous cross section of riding disciplines. We have recreational riders, competitive barrel racers, WP competitiors, endurance riders, dressage, reiners, working cowhorse competitors.....it's truly a diverse group. We spend our riding season (April to November up here in Canada) sharing and learning from each other. I'm always on the look out for activities and suggestions for us gals to get into.

Hi Sharon,Maureen,Deb & Dana, Happy New Year. What discipline are you guys into! I'm have a go at everything dressage, showjumping, hunting, Le trec (which is really good) When younger rode as jockey in BC Canada.Would loved to have done vaulting if younger, it was fab at WEG. Returned to Ireland 1987. As pro rode x.country & trained for British Horse Society Instructor Exams. Now coach for living. Life begins at Forty! Lets not tell the younger riders!LOL

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